POLITE CONVERSATION

WITH A SILENT GAME UNDERFOOT

AGREEANCE COMES IN the form of a slow nod. whereas cait’s meal comes to a crawl, fernando continues. having long made peace with this ‘incident’, his sympathies have long passed. only when recounting the tale does he pause to highlight the tragic nature of regina’s plight.

“you think so?”

fernando quirks a brow at senon’s direction. his eyes teeter between the top of his eyelids in contemplation, taking the head ranger’s point of view into consideration.

“perhaps.”

more of a courtesy than anything else, fernando nods along. it’s an outward acceptance of his opposition’s excuse. not that he agrees, but he’s not here to spill the pot—merely to stir and let it simmer under the surface.

“but that would require the issue to come to light.”

his tips his fork in senon’s direction, curious on the surface, inquisitive as they play out the hypotheticals.

“dishonesty is one thing—and a very big thing, mind you—but compound that with the fact that everyone else knows but you? i can understand her pain.”

he sighs.

“it’s selfish to the utmost. a complete disregard of your partner.”

but the slight of a smile peeks out.

“makes me glad i don’t have to deal with such things personally. it also allows me to appreciate the opposite side of the spectrum.” his eyes float between the couple, pleased. “like you two.”

cait alfric Sénon Game